As manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand for a variety of reasons including component shortages and production delays, backlogs for the most popular car models have begun to pile up.
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Request a quoteThis presents an opportunity for those doing their research, though, with wait times for a number of alternatives to the top models in Australia far shorter, and in some cases, nonexistent if you head over to our cars in-stock page.
Let’s take a look at some great alternatives to Australia’s most popular cars and see how you can step into your dream car far quicker than you might have thought.
1 - Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a stylish and practical midsize SUV, with the range split into four model variants with a choice of three engines, each of which comes generously equipped with comfort and entertainment features.
The only problem for Australian buyers is that wait times for the Kia Sportage have ballooned out to between 4 and 18 months, depending on the model variant, so let’s take a look at two great alternatives for the popular Sportage.
Sportage Alternative - Mazda CX-5
It might surprise you to hear that wait lists for one of the Sportage’s main rivals, the Mazda CX-5 are just a few weeks, and for some models, there’s no wait list at all.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of Australia’s most popular midsize SUVs, offering buyers a stylish package inside and out that is a pleasure to drive in even the entry-level CX-5 Maxx, with a heap of interior space and practical touches that make it a heavy-hitter for family motoring.
Sportage Alternative - Hyundai Tucson
Twin under the skin to the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson provides an extremely comfortable driving dynamic and features a heap of family-friendly touches that make it one of the most practical midsize SUVs on the market.
Wait times for the Tucson can range anywhere between one and six months, depending on your preferred model at the dealership, however, OnlineAuto often has Tucson units available, so be sure to check out our cars in-stock page.
2 - Toyota HiLux
The HiLux ute has become synonymous with hard-working Aussies and those with an adventurous spirit, with the Hilux’s popularity inevitably leading to wait lists that currently stand anywhere between six to eight months.
If you’re looking to step into a tough, work-ready and capable off-road ute package, let’s take a closer look at two of the Hilux’s most compelling alternatives.
HiLux Alternative - Mazda BT-50
Mazda’s BT-50 range has been quick to impress with Australia’s tough ute-buying crowd, and offers buyers a huge number of models that cater to a variety of needs and price points.
The entry-level BT-50 comes powered by a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel unit kicking out 110kW/350Nm, while the majority of the range picks up a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel shared with the Isuzu D-Max that produces 140kW/450Nm, increasing towing power up from 3000kg to 3500kg.
While wait times for the BT-50 can stretch out anywhere between 2-6 months, OnlineAuto often has stock available, so be sure to check out our in-stock page.
HiLux Alternative - Mitsubishi Triton
The Mitsubishi Triton is one of Australia’s most compelling value propositions within the ute market, offering a heap of model variants in different body configurations for both work and family duties.
The Triton comes powered by a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel unit producing 133kW/430Nm paired with a choice of a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, with braked towing figures of between 2500kg and 3100kg, depending on the variant.
We’ve found wait lists for the Mitsubishi Triton sitting anywhere between one-to-four months currently, which saves you some significant time compared to waiting for the HiLux.
3 - Hyundai Kona
Hyundai’s charismatic little compact SUV has proven itself a hit here in Australia, though this popularity has caused wait lists to stretch out to around six-months.
The good news for buyers looking for a compact SUV package is that, due to the popularity of the segment, there’s a number of great alternatives that offer a very similar package with significantly shorter wait times.
Kona Alternative - Mazda CX-3
If you’re in the market for a sleek and stylish small SUV package, Mazda has you covered with the CX-3, which is a particularly well-priced package considering just how many features you’ll receive in the entry-level CX-3 Maxx.
The CX-3 is the perfect urban runaround, and comes powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 110kW/195Nm and returning fuel economy figures of between 6.3-6.6L/100km.
We’ve seen wait lists drop to just a few weeks in the case of some CX-3 variants, but often have stock available ready to purchase now on our cars in-stock page.
Kona Alternative - Mazda CX-30
Mazda’s CX-30 is a more premium take on the CX-3 package, offering slightly more interior space and practicality, improved interior craftsmanship and features, as well as a larger range of engine options.
The CX-30 is available with four engines, with the base G20 producing 114kW/200Nm and increasing to a very healthy 132kW/223Nm in the mild hybrid X20 Astina.
In some cases, there are no wait times for the CX-30 range depending on the model variant, while the wait for some of the most popular variants stands at around two months.
4 - Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is one of the most iconic midsize SUVs in Australia, and with Toyota’s addition of hybrid powertrains across the range translating to huge order volumes that have caused wait lists to extend to more than 12 months in certain cases.
While it’s a mighty impressive package, it’s worth tossing up some of the RAV4’s rivals if you’re looking to upgrade to a midsize package right now.
RAV4 Alternative - Mazda CX-5
As we’ve already mentioned, the CX-5 range is near bullet-proof when it comes to serving Australian families, and the best news is that it can help you avoid extremely long wait lists for the RAV4.
We constantly have new stock popping up with immediate availability, so be sure to head over to our cars in-stock page to step into your very own CX-5 in a matter of days, rather than months.
RAV4 Alternative - Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a lot to offer buyers in the market for a large, family-friendly SUV package which is backed by Australia’s best warranty program totalling ten-years when serviced within the company’s network.
Inside, the Pajero Sport’s cabin offers a comfortable and supremely practical cabin for seven people, while the capable 4x4 system gives it an adventurous and versatile spirit perfect for weekend and holiday road trips.
Wait times for the Pajero Sport range are significantly shorter than the RAV4, with some units available now, while wait times for more popular variants can total three months or so; be sure to check out our in-stock page to see if there’s any available near you.
5 - Kia Seltos
Kia’s fun and funky little SUV, the Seltos, has been snapped up by Australian buyers, with average waits totaling more than six months for the Korean compact SUV.
The good news for buyers is that in such a fiercely competitive market segment, there’s a number of great options that you can step into right now.
Seltos Alternative - Mazda CX-3
The Mazda CX-3 remains one of Australia’s best-selling small SUV packages, and the best news is that the wait times are far, far shorter than the Kia Seltos and in some cases, we can help you upgrade right away, so be sure to check out our in-stock page.
Seltos Alternative - Mazda CX-30
In many cases, the Mazda CX-30 offers a more premium small SUV package than what’s on offer in the Kia Seltos, and to make things even better, there’s little in the way of waiting around to take delivery for your fun and stylish compact SUV.
OnlineAuto Has Cars In Stock Now
OnlineAuto is uniquely positioned in the Australian automotive landscape and can deploy our fleet buying power to help secure stock from our nationwide network that might otherwise be unavailable from dealerships.
Click here to find out if your car is in stock, or to get in touch with one of our car-buying specialists who can help take the stress out of sourcing your dream car.
